Suburb spotlight: Devonport
Surely one of Auckland’s most sort-after locations, the charming seaside suburb of Devonport is a unique place to live. With its beautiful villas and bungalows that have stood the test of time, Devonport has all the charm of village living, but is only a 10 minute ferry ride from the heart of Auckland city.
Why choose Devonport?
Devonport Property Manager Lynette Ell says that Devonport is well known for its character homes and beaches, and is always in demand by tenants wanting to share in this experience.
"Investors / landlords who prefer a strong capital growth base, along with reliable rental income find Devonport the ideal balance," she says.
"Tenants are attracted by the no exit isthmus which boasts a unique village like environment."
"Both families and professional people alike owe the area for its excellent schooling, super ferry service to the city and for its many sporting and arts facilities."
*Source: Barfoot and Thompson average tenancies as at 1 July 2015 and Barfoot & Thompson average sales over the last six months to beginning July 2015 for three bedroom properties in Auckland. Yield calculated using average sale price and average rental per week.
Auckland comparison*
- Gross rental yield: Devonport 2.48% and Auckland 3.25%
- Average sale price (three bedroom): Devonport $1,387,868 and Auckland $787,364
- Average weekly rent (three bedroom): Devonport $663 and Auckland $492
The charming seaside community of Devonport
About Devonport
At the southern tip of one of Auckland’s North Shore peninsulas, Devonport lies to the west of North Head.
Around 40,000 years ago, Devonport consisted of three island of volcanic origin - Mount Victoria, North Head and Mount Cambria.
Māori settlement roughly dates from the mid-14th century. The last remaining significant Māori settlement was destroyed by rival tribes in the 1790s.
Europeans arrived not long after and the suburb itself was first ‘settled’ in 1840, making it one of the oldest suburbs in Auckland and the first on the North Shore.
The deep water anchorage made Devonport an ideal spot for Royal Navy vessels and the suburb is still home to the Devonport Naval Base, the main facility for New Zealand's naval vessels.
A popular destination for day trips from Auckland city, being just a short ferry ride away, Devonport offers visitors an array of shops, cafes, restaurants and antique stores to browse.
Did you know?
Devonport played a special role in the nuclear free movement, and was the first local council to declare Devonport a nuclear-free zone in 1981.